Louise+Maine

Room: **Crystal A**

= = = Louise Maine =
 * **Punxsutawney Area High School**
 * **lmaine@punxsy.k12.pa.us**
 * **twitter: hurricanemaine**
 * **blog: http://hurricanemaine.blogspot.com**
 * **current wiki: http://gottalovebio.wikispaces.com**
 * **Biology - 9th & 10th Grade**

**Fuels and Fuel Economy**

 * Overview**: The lesson begins by looking at two graphs, the first showing the petrol tax per country and the second showing the average mpg of cars per country. Students discuss what they in each of the separate graphs. Discussion then focuses on the correlation between the data of the two graphs. Discussion continues on the focus on key questions: What is fuel efficiency? What types of cars are the most fuel efficient? What factors might contribute to a desire for increased fuel efficiency in cars? How fuel-efficient are cars today compared to cars 50 years ago? The student then work in groups where they will work as an archaeologist from the future studying transportation from the time period 2000-2010 A.D. The projects will address what attitudes about fossil fuels and alternative energy changed during this time period and what alternative energy sources seemed to be the most used. This project requires students to learn what alternative energies are available and predict which energy sources currently under research today would be the most likely used in the next 50 years. The project can be presented by the groups in any format as long as it can be added to a wiki page.

Original activity here: http://globalbiology.wikispaces.com/Energy Examples of student project: http://www.slideshare.net/phsmicheleburkett/2-junkyard-mbmeff?from=ss_embed Additional project lesson: http://thinkenergy.wikispaces.com/

=**The Lesson**:= Question: How has the attitudes towards fuels and cars changed over the past decades? 1. Look at the following graph. Think/pair/share what you understand or notice about the graph:



2. Examine the next graph. Think/pair/share what you understand or notice about the graph:

3. Write down how the countries compare in **fuel economy** and also in **gasoline taxes**.

Answer the following:
 * 1) What relationships do you notice between the fuel economy and the taxes in a given country?
 * 2) Do a quick research of the most often used transportation (types of vehicles) for the countries.
 * 3) What conclusions can we draw?

4. Create a KWL chart (what I **k**now, what I **w**ant to know, and what I **l**earned) about the following questions:
 * What is Fuel efficiency?
 * What types of cars are the most fuel efficient and why?
 * What factors might contribute to a desire for increased fuel efficiency in cars?
 * How fuel-efficient are cars today compared to 50 years ago?

5. Project: You are an archaeologist from the future studying the time period between 2000 - 2050 AD. Your team recently found an incredible site that has artifacts about transportation during this time period. At this site, you find dozens of old cars and car pieces. There is also a sign that says "Jesse's Junkyard, Established 2015." You can assume the oldest cars in the junkyard are from the year 2000. In 2050, a devastating natural event leveled this part of the town and all businesses ceased to operate. You can assume that the cars are from the 2000 - 2050 time period. You will explore:


 * What attitudes about fossil fuels and alternative energy changed between 2000 and 2050?
 * What alternative energy sources seemed to be the most used?

You will research:
 * the types of alternative energies available and
 * predict which energy sources currently under research today would be the most likely used in the next 50 years.
 * Why was this one energy source selected to replace fossil fuels?
 * Why was this type of energy most practical?
 * All information will be presented in any format you desire as long as it can be added on a wiki page.
 * References to all materials and information is required and all images must be taken by you or from Creative Commons and attributed to the original owner. (If you need a refresher on how to do this, all you need to do is ask!)

How to begin:
 * First, we need a plan. Use your kwl charts to find more information that you need about fuel efficiency, cars, and renewable energy. This will serve as a map for you to find the information you need to complete the assignment. Use this research plan to help: [[file:Research plan for Junkyard Activity.docx]]
 * Use some of the resources below to start thinking about the questions.
 * If you find a great resource to share, please add it below in the resources section. (You just may be rewarded.)
 * You will be graded individually on your contributions to the group. Written summaries of material you found will be assigned and graded.
 * Assessments will be made on your daily progression. Keep up with your research plan and the due dates. Periodic written updates will be asked to check on understanding of the material researched.

=Individual activity:= Research 2 cars and how their design features affect fuel economy. Discuss how aspects of the engine, body, and other components of the car could be modified to minimize the amount of fuel the car requires. Which features are more fuel efficient? Which are least fuel efficient?

=Resources:= [] [] [] [] [] [] []

=Vocabulary= By-product Fossil fuel Petroleum Crude oil Extraction Natural resource Renewable resource Non-renewable resource Bedrock Hydraulic fracturing Hydrocarbons Natural gas Offshore drilling Fractional distillation Volatile Viscosity Polymers Combustion Tar sands Oil shale